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Banned shortly after publication for its depiction of female freedom, Women Without Men creates an evocative and powerfully drawn allegory of life in contemporary Iran.
Using the techniques of both the fabulist and the polemicist, Parsipur continues her protest against traditional Persian gender relations in this charming, powerful novella." - Publishers Weekly
This modern literary masterpiece follows the interwoven destinies of five women-including a wealthy middle-aged housewife, a prostitute, and a schoolteacher-as they arrive by different paths to live together in an abundant garden on the outskirts of Tehran. Drawing on elements of Islamic mysticism and recent Iranian history, this unforgettable novel depicts women escaping the narrow confines of family and society, and imagines their future living in a world without men.
LONGLISTED for the 2026 International Booker Prize
From an outspoken Iranian author comes a "charming, powerful novella" that is banned in Iran for its depiction of female freedom ( Publishers Weekly ).
"Parsipur is a courageous, talented woman, and above all, a great writer." -Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis
This modern literary masterpiece follows the interwoven destinies of five women-including a wealthy middle-aged housewife, a prostitute, and a schoolteacher-as they arrive by different paths to live together in an abundant garden on the outskirts of Tehran. Drawing on elements of Islamic mysticism and recent Iranian history, this unforgettable novel depicts women escaping the narrow confines of family and society, and imagines their future living in a world without men.
Reminiscent of a wry fable, Women Without Men creates an evocative and powerfully drawn allegory of life in contemporary Iran. Shortly after the novel's 1989 publication, Parsipur was arrested and jailed for her frank and defiant portrayal of women's sexuality. Banned in Iran, this national bestseller was eventually translated into several languages, giving new readers access to the witty and subversive work of a brilliant Persian writer.
